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Home decoration

How do you keep books free from sun damage?

7 replies

wallpeppering · 23/01/2019 09:08

We are moving a set of two bookcases downstairs, where there is light coming in and hitting that wall in the morning. It’s 4m of glass doors so a net curtain will be a bit tricky. I have thought of some kind of screen (the kind that is in three parts and can be stored away) but I can imagine the cat getting hurt by it... I also considered curtains on the shelves but that may look a tad too DIY. Any ideas?

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MitziK · 23/01/2019 14:32

I have bookcases with doors and the panels are covered on the inside with whatever fabric or paper/pictures I feel like to fit in with the overall scheme at the time.

Means they don't get as dusty, either - but I've got bookcases that were sold with optional doors in the first place (bog standard IKEA).

You can easily get white floor length netting/voiles to run along a wire to diffuse the sunlight coming through the doors whilst still being bright and you'd be able to pull individual panels to the side as required - I think it would probably be the easiest, cheapest and smartest way to deal with your problem; white fabric wafting in a summer breeze when the doors are open look rather good, IMO.

If the books aren't valuable, I don't think it really makes a huge difference if they get faded, though.

alltheusernames · 23/01/2019 14:41

You can get UV filters for your windows in sticker form, they aren't noticeable and still let light etc in. We use them in the heritage institutions.

wallpeppering · 23/01/2019 15:39

Thank you MitziK and alltheusernames, the UV filter for the doors does look like the best option, as the bookshelves we already have bought (metallic ikea ones) have no doors and the curtains will be tricky as they would have to be screwed onto a metal beam. They would also get wrecked by our lion of a kitten! Grin

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SpoonBlender · 23/01/2019 15:47

It does take years to damage paperback spines, so don't rush. The UV filter film is a bear to stick on without bubbles, well worth waiting until warmer weather when condensation won't be part of the fun.

MitziK · 23/01/2019 16:36

Oooh, I like sticking film on. Make sure each piece is cut slightly too large for the glass.

Makeup a bowl of warm water with a small amount of washing up liquid. Have towels on the floor to catch the drips.

Make sure the glass is spotlessly clean and then make it wet with the soapy water. Peel back just the very top corner of the film backing and push into more or less the right place, ensuring that you have a tiny overlap with the frame, just in case the film isn't quite cut straight.

Use the soapiness to let you adjust the positioning as you peel the backing off and, only as you are sure it's in the right positioning, push the water out from underneath using a points card (better than a credit card because it doesn't have your banking details on it - and they're free) starting at one top corner, ensuring all the bubbles and creases are taken out before moving onto the next section. If it's too wet and is sliding about all over the place, use a towel to mop up the very wettest bits.

Work your way down. If you find a crease or bubble/go wrong, add a little more soapy water from underneath.

Tiny bubbles will disappear if you pierce them later, but anything over a tiny dot needs to be unpeeled and flattened at the time.

Use the card to run along the edges and push them into the frame/trim larger excesses by doing that then running a new Stanley blade extremely carefully against the frame (not the glass, as that makes it too easy to cut the bit you want to keep).

Dry it off a couple of times from top to bottom (there will be drips) and if you find a bubble of water, again pricking it with a needle will help it flatten - or a larger one you've missed can be improved vastly by gently slitting it with the Stanley blade, carding from outside to in and mopping up the water with a cloth.

I learned from an ex who had to put huge expanses up on various surfaces, not just glass, as one part of his job.

It's much easier and effective to do it that way than hope you get the sticky back in the right place first time.

(Of course, this is if you are using sticky film and aren't using static cling instead - that, just follow the instructions).

alltheusernames · 23/01/2019 18:11

@MitziK I'm copying and pasting that advice to keep on my phone!

wallpeppering · 23/01/2019 19:21

MitziK wow, thank you for all the advice!

Sadly, I think we will try to go for a pro installer, as I can see me swearing at the glass. I am a terrible DIYer and wouldn't want to scare the neighbours Blush

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